Huge numbers of VAT fraudsters are illegally selling goods tax-free to British shoppers on Amazon and eBay this Christmas, despite new government efforts to crack down on this ballooning £1bn VAT evasion crisis.

The financial reporting watchdog will investigate accountancy firm Grant Thornton for signing off on an arrangement between Sports Direct, majority-owned by Mike Ashley, and a delivery firm owned by his brother.

Leaving the single market would be damaging to almost every sector of the British economy from manufacturing and energy to retail and financial services, according to a new report commissioned by an alliance of Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians trying to stop a hard Brexit.

José Mourinho is facing a third touchline ban in little more than a year after being sent to the stands for the third time in 20 Premier League matches during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday.